Speculations are rife that Lady Gaga could be playing Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2, but fans aren't quite ready to say goodbye to Margot Robbie's take on the character.
The Oscar-nominated actor first played the role in the 2016 film Suicide Squad and went on to star in Birds of Prey in 2020 and appear in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad last year.
Gunn's days with DC are far from over as he'll be working on the second season of Peacemaker once he's done with Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but the director recently gave a disappointing update on The Suicide Squad 2.
However, that doesn't mean there aren't plans to bring back Robbie's Harley Quinn. In fact, Gunn gave a promising little tease on Twitter this week.
"Please bring Harley back for another project," one fan tweeted. "Not a bad idea," Gunn replied.
Of course, this certainly isn't a confirmation that Gunn and Robbie will be working together again, but it's hard not to hope, especially when there's a lot more of Harley's story to tell. In fact, Robbie really wants to see her character in a romance with Poison Ivy.
"I mean, I really am quite invested in Harley's romantic life," Robbie revealed. "So a box that I did like to check in this one is seeing her try and date new guys because it's something that I've always enjoyed seeing when it's popped up in the comics and something I would like to explore like you said, Poison Ivy, that is a relationship I'd love to see play out on screen."
Yeah, we've talked about it," Gunn recently told The Playlist when asked about a sequel to The Suicide Squad. "But the honest truth is, I just have so many hours in a day to work on stuff. And I had such a fun time working in television that I really think that's what I'm going to spend the next year of my life doing."
"I'm not sure what I'm going to do next because it could be a movie outside of [DC], but it could be a DC movie that has to do with these characters," Gunn shared. "Does that mean it's the Suicide Squad movie or something else that's within that world or a little bit different than that? And that I'm not exactly sure."
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.